Blank Rome Welcomes New Director of Diversity and Inclusion
Blank Rome LLP is pleased to announce that Krystal Studavent Ramsey has joined the Firm as Director of Diversity and Inclusion, further supporting the Firm’s longstanding commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (“DEI”). Krystal brings 11 years of DEI experience in the legal industry and is based in Blank Rome’s Houston office.
“Krystal is a highly accomplished and respected leader with a unique combination of legal and DEI experience,” said Grant S. Palmer, Blank Rome’s Managing Partner and CEO. “We are thrilled that she has joined us and are confident that her experience and dedicated focus on DEI will further advance the tremendous work of Sophia Lee and our Diversity and Inclusion Committee—particularly during this challenging time—in supporting our Firm, colleagues, clients, and the communities in which we live and work.”
In her role at Blank Rome, Krystal will work closely with the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, affinity groups, Firm management, and others to create, lead, and implement the Firm’s strategic long-term and short-term DEI plans and to assess and refine plans as needed over time; to further foster an inclusive climate where everyone at Blank Rome experiences a sense of belonging and connectivity; to establish fair and equitable processes and policies that advance DEI; to coach on DEI; to serve as a DEI brand ambassador, internally and externally; to partner with and consult clients on DEI plans, initiatives, and programs; and to advocate for Blank Rome’s diverse population.
“I am excited to join Blank Rome as its Director of Diversity and Inclusion, especially at such a pivotal time in our world,” said Studavent Ramsey. “This is an amazing opportunity to work with such an incredibly dedicated law firm, known for its foundation of DEI, and its attorneys and business professionals in driving and advancing DEI to make sustainable change and positive impact throughout our Firm, the legal industry, the communities we serve, and beyond.”
Throughout her career, Krystal has notably focused on DEI talent development and management, business development, and advancement initiatives, in addition to cultivating strong project management, corporate legal practice, and management consulting experience. Most recently, Krystal served as a senior legal consultant at Axiom—the world’s largest and leading contingent legal talent company with 2,000+ lawyers and 17 offices across three continents—where she advised general counsel across the country on workforce transformation and augmentation, talent management, diversity and inclusion, and cost containment. At Axiom, Krystal co-founded and co-chaired Blaxiom, a group of Black Axiom employees, leading the charge in creating a charter and structuring the group to develop the first Black Employee Resource Group in Axiom’s history, working closely with the executive leadership team. She also served as director of strategy and operations for the Diverse Attorney Pipeline Program (“DAPP”), a national nonprofit committed to the development and placement of first-year, women of color law students. Prior to her roles at Axiom and DAPP, Krystal served in senior-level DEI and business development roles for Norton Rose Fulbright, Bliss Lawyers, and Management Leadership for Tomorrow. She also served as general counsel and senior vice president of business affairs at Music World Entertainment.
Krystal has been active in several professional organizations, including The Downtown Group, the Houston Association of Women Attorneys, the National Bar Association – Women Lawyers Section, and the State Bar of Texas African American Lawyers Section. She is also active in the community, working with organizations such as the American Heart Association and Habitat for Humanity. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
Krystal received a B.S. in Social Justice, with a minor in English, from Texas Southern University, and a J.D. from Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law, ranked as one of the most diverse law schools in the country. She also recently received a Diversity and Inclusion Certificate from Cornell University.